February 06, 2014

I want to take a moment to personally thank each and every one of you who watch.
I have enjoyed being the General Manager of KAIT for the past two years.
I recently accepted the same position with WMC channel 5 in Memphis and will be serving at WMC starting Monday, so this is my last Better Region 8.
With that in mind, I wanted to leave you with a few quick thoughts.
Region 8 is one of the most special homes I have had in my travels in the television business.
I can say without a doubt you are the nicest people I have had the honor of knowing and serving.
I'm going to miss joining you each week to deliver A Better Region 8, but I will just be across the river.
We will have a new General Manager joining us very soon. His name is Chris Conroy and I worked with Chris for 5 years at WMC.
You will enjoy Chris and I know you will welcome him with open arms -- the same way you did me.
Thank you again for all your feedback, support, help and viewership. You all make this A Better Region 8.

February 03, 2014

I would like to add my condolences to the people of Trumann and the firefighter family and family of Trumann Fire Chief Rick Winkles.
Winkles died after suffering a massive heart attack while fighting a fire. He was laid to rest this past weekend.
Winkles had been a firefighter for 28 years and the chief since 2003.
He was close to retiring. He was 53 years old.
It was an amazing sight to see firefighters from all over the state lining the roads with their fire trucks to honor their friend and mentor.
I think at a time like this it's so important for us to stop and think about all the many people who serve us on a daily basis.
Firefighters, police officers, sheriff's deputies and the list goes on. Public servants who give so much of themselves to make sure we are safe.
Thank you Chief Winkles for your service. You will be so missed.
Take a moment and say thank you today to a public servant. Thanking a public servant will make this A Better Region 8.

January 30, 2014

If you're a crook and you're looking for a place to burglarize -- who thinks -- let me break into the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society.
Who does that? Does that make any sense?
Here are a group of people trying to do what's right by our furry friends and it appears a group of people decided it was the place to steal from.
I just don't get it.
But there is a silver lining, within hours of the word going out about the break in donations started pouring in.
Now, the shelter is looking to upgrade it's security.
But the folks who did this are still on the run? And you know they have to be bragging about it.
If you know something, do the right thing and turn them in.
Helping catch people who do things like this and keeping the donations coming for the Humane Society will make this A Better Region 8.

The death of Arkansas State University football player Markel Owens is a devastating loss to Region 8.
A police captain in Jackson, Tennessee where Owens grew up, said this young man was a hero.
Captain Tyreece Miller said Owens intervened when he saw his mother and step-father in danger.
I didn't know Owens personally, but I wish I had.
After listening to his teammates and coaches remember him, it sounds like Owens was a wonderful person with a big heart and lots of life to live, a life that's now been taken.
I know everything happens for a reason, but sometimes it's just so hard for us to understand.
I think the best thing we can do is pray for Owens mom, his fellow teammates and our entire Region 8 community as we mourn the loss of this hero.
Markel Owens made this A Better Region 8.

January 13, 2014

There are plenty of us who can point out problems in our communities and complain and then there are the select few who see a problem and then do something about it.
Chris Brantley from Clay County is one of those select few.
Brantley recognized a need for father figures to be involved in his local school, Piggott Elementary.
He started Watch D.O.G.S. This stands for Dads of Great students.
In Clay County, more than 15 percent of homes are single female headed households.
Brantley and his team of watch dogs spend time in the schools providing role models.
They also help with security.
And you don't even have to be a dad of a student. They have grandfathers, uncles and stepdads who are part of the 35 member team.
Hats off to Chris Brantley and all the members of the Watch DOGS.
You are making this A Better Region 8.

In such a loving and caring community as Region 8, it just boggles my mind that someone could be so cruel.
We just don't dump puppies in Region 8.
We just shouldn't dump puppies in Region 8.
We just can't dump puppies in Region 8.
By now, you know I'm an animal lover. I also believe the way a community treats their animals is indicative of the way people in a community will treat other people.
3 of the 7 puppies dumped at an intersection in Jonesboro recently have now died.
Dumping puppies is considered animal cruelty in Jonesboro.
If the person or persons who did this is caught, there will be charges.
And Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for any tip that can crack the case.
If you know anything about this, please call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 870-935-STOP.
Remember, you can do this anonymously.
And do what's right for all God's creatures.
Take care of our animals. It will make this A Better Region 8.

January 06, 2014

Finishing the game.
If you stayed up late Sunday night to watch our ASU Red Wolves Football team take on Ball State University, you not only saw an incredible display of athleticism, but you also saw why it's so important to finish the game.
With less than 2 minutes left, Ball State scored and it looked like things were over for the Red Wolves.
But our team said wait just a minute, we can do this and boy did they.
With those last few minutes left, ASU followed their plan, ran their plays and achieved success, scoring with 32 seconds left to play.
First, let me congratulate the Red Wolves on another hard fought victory.
But also, I want thank the team for reminding us of a very valuable lesson, finish the game.
How many times have you wanted to give up, felt that you were beat and there was no way to win in life, work or as a community?
As you head into the new year and face challenges, remember this year's Red Wolf team and keep in mind it's always important to finish the game.
Finishing the game will make this A Better Region 8.

Arkansas Lt. Governor Mark Darr, it's time. You need to resign.
Darr has admitted fault in 11 campaign spending citations.
Governor Mike Beebe has called for Darr to leave office, Republicans in the state congressional delegation have unanimously called for Darr to leave office and the state GOP Chairman says the party would call on Darr to leave office if he ends up facing criminal charges.
Darr joins the ranks of two other high profile politicians in the past year who, we trusted with our vote and they broke that trust.
You may remember Darr is the same lawmaker who was using state police to chauffeur him on long distance trips so he could talk on his cell phone and you paid for it.
Darr appears to be digging in his heels and says he is working to rebuild trust with the voters.
Mister Darr, I believe you are too late. The damage is done and it's going to be extremely difficult for voters to trust you again.
Resign and let a new lawmaker prove to the people that he or she is not entitled and will take care of the taxpayers money.
A resignation from Darr would make this a Better Arkansas and A Better Region 8.

December 20, 2013

One of the best things about living and working in Region 8 is the positive vibe I feel when I get the chance to go out and visit different parts of our community.
Compared to some other places I've lived -- there is a positive energy in the air.
If you make New Year's resolutions, I would like to chime in here with one of my own.
I resolve to do what I can to support and grow the positive vibe prevalent in Region 8.
That positive energy contributes to the incredible growth we have seen in our communities and the ability we have to bounce back when faced with challenges.
What can you do to support and grow the positive energy?
I recently heard the CEO of Amazon say Complaining is not a strategy.
What a terrific way to look at life and work.
Get rid of the negative. Support and lift up the positive and we will all make this A Better Region 8 together.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a special place in Region 8.
It's called the Children's Shelter and it's nestled safely in the heart of Walnut Ridge.
You may not have heard of the Children's Shelter, but the work that is done at this facility is remarkable.
The shelter is an emergency facility for children who have come from some horrific situations.
Some are abused, some are neglected and just need a place to stay until they are either placed in foster care, adopted or it has been determined they can safely return to their families.
I can't talk a lot about what I experienced while I was there due to confidentially, but I can tell you it's a place that overflows with love for these children.
The children who call the shelter their home come from all over Region 8 and they could use your help.
If you friend, the Children's Shelter in Walnut Ridge on Facebook -- they post every time they have a need even if it's just a bottle of laundry detergent or a roll of paper towels.
You can also just call them to make a donation at 870-886-5191.
The people who work at the Children's Shelter are making this a better and safer Region 8 for these children.